The Black Legskate (*Bathyraja richardsoni*) is a deepwater skate species found primarily in the North Atlantic, inhabiting continental slopes and deep-sea environments. Characterized by its dark coloration and robust pectoral fins, it is a relatively obscure species in commercial fisheries due to its deep habitat and low abundance compared to other skates. However, the top countries involved in harvesting Black Legskate are predominantly those with developed deep-sea fishing industries, such as Iceland, the United Kingdom (particularly Scotland), and Norway. These nations target the species as part of mixed deepwater trawl fisheries, often alongside other skates, rays, and groundfish. The Black Legskate is generally caught as bycatch rather than a primary target, and its landings are modest compared to more commercially valuable species. Management measures in these countries are increasingly focused on sustainability, given the vulnerability of deepwater skates to overfishing due to their slow growth and low reproductive rates.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.